Native Friendship Centre

NAFC CEO Jocelyn W. Formsma Honoured with the 2024 Indspire Public Service Award

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Wednesday, February 14, 2024
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OTTAWA, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is proud to congratulate our CEO, Jocelyn W. Formsma, on the announcement that she has been awarded the 2024 Indspire Public Service Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Indigenous community.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is proud to congratulate our CEO, Jocelyn W. Formsma, on the announcement that she has been awarded the 2024 Indspire Public Service Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Indigenous community.
  • Her tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on the Indigenous community, fostering positive change, and promoting inclusivity.
  • We are immensely proud to have her as the driving force behind the NAFC, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of her exemplary public service."
  • The Indspire Public Service Award reflects her outstanding achievements, commitment to social justice, and unwavering advocacy for Indigenous rights.

National Association of Friendship Centres Applauds Multi-Party Reception, Advocates for Crucial Priorities

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 30, 2023
NAFC, Native Friendship Centre, Liberal, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Wildfire, National Association, Green Party, Indigenous, Political lists, NDP, National Liberal Party, Bloc

OTTAWA, Nov. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is pleased with the success of its first-ever multi-party reception hosted by the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, the New Democrat Party, the Bloc Québécois, and the Green Party.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, Nov. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is pleased with the success of its first-ever multi-party reception hosted by the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, the New Democrat Party, the Bloc Québécois, and the Green Party.
  • This unprecedented event provided an inclusive platform for Friendship Centre delegates to champion the integration of Friendship Centre priorities across party lines, with a particular focus on long-term sustainable funding, emergency response mechanisms for natural disasters such as wildfires, and the devolution of services to urban Indigenous communities.
  • The National Association of Friendship Centres remains steadfast in its commitment to building strong partnerships and fostering open dialogues with all political parties.
  • The organization believes that collaborative efforts are instrumental in creating policies that reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of urban Indigenous peoples across Canada.

The National Association of Friendship Centres Strengthens Dialogue with the Conservative Party of Canada in Roundtable Event

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Tuesday, November 28, 2023
NAFC, Parliamentary opposition, Native Friendship Centre, Risk, Sustenance, Government, Conservative Party, National Association, Empowerment, Political lists, Knowledge, Climate change, Growth, Investment, Employment, Parliament, Drug

OTTAWA , Nov. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is pleased with the successful outcome of a significant roundtable event hosted by the Conservative Party of Canada.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA , Nov. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is pleased with the successful outcome of a significant roundtable event hosted by the Conservative Party of Canada.
  • The event provided an invaluable platform for Friendship Centre delegates to advocate for the critical work they do and better align the common priorities of Friendship Centre and the Conservative Party.
  • The roundtable, held on November 27, 2023, in Ottawa, facilitated a constructive dialogue between representatives of the Friendship Centre Movement, the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition, and Members of Parliament from the Conservative Party.
  • “The Conservative Party was the first to reach out to NAFC for a dialogue on urban Indigenous matters.

National Association of Friendship Centres hosts its second annual Urban Indigenous Summit

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 27, 2023
NAFC, Language, Policy, Native Friendship Centre, Homelessness, Mental health, Movement, Housing, National Association, Volunteering, Generator, Next Generation, Education

OTTAWA, Nov. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is proud to host its second annual Urban Indigenous Summit with this year’s theme of: Action for the Next Generation in Ottawa, Ontario.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, Nov. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is proud to host its second annual Urban Indigenous Summit with this year’s theme of: Action for the Next Generation in Ottawa, Ontario.
  • Over the next 3 days, NAFC member Friendship Centres, urban Indigenous organizations, funding partners, and project partners from every region in Canada will gather to discuss capacity building, action planning, and knowledge exchange on a variety of topics relevant to Indigenous people and urban realities.
  • Indigenous people in Canada are increasingly urbanized and for over 70 years, Friendship Centres have offered crucial support to Indigenous people in urban settings.
  • That is why the NAFC created this forum for urban Indigenous people to share information and showcase each other.

Government of Canada invests in over 400 projects through the Investment Readiness Program

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Monday, October 23, 2023
Government, National Association, Council, Government of Canada, Ecosystem, Peptide synthesis, Housing, Black, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Social inequality, Thought, IRP, Investment, Organization, Federation, Community, Furniture Bank, Social innovation, Social change, Growth, Organic, Employment, NAFC, Poverty, Native Friendship Centre, Canadian Women's Foundation, Climate change, Renewable energy, Drug, Management, Recycling

The Investment Readiness Program has played an integral part in strengthening the social finance ecosystem in Canada."

Key Points: 
  • The Investment Readiness Program has played an integral part in strengthening the social finance ecosystem in Canada."
  • "We are so grateful to the Government of Canada for the generous contribution from the Investment Readiness Program.
  • The Investment Readiness Program conducted a successful pilot program from 2019 to 2021, investing $50 million in 680 social purpose organizations across Canada.
  • The Investment Readiness Program was renewed in 2021 with the investment of an additional $50 million, which was distributed to 460 social purpose organizations across Canada.

The NAFC commits over $1.5 million to urban Indigenous Social Purpose Organizations in final round of the Investment Readiness Program

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 13, 2023
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OTTAWA, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NAFC is pleased to announce that it is committing over $1.5 million in Investment Readiness Program funding to 19 urban Indigenous social purpose organizations (SPOs) from coast to coast to coast.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The NAFC is pleased to announce that it is committing over $1.5 million in Investment Readiness Program funding to 19 urban Indigenous social purpose organizations (SPOs) from coast to coast to coast.
  • In the previous iteration of the IRP, the NAFC exclusively funded Friendship Centres, however the NAFC has now opened its IRP funding to all urban Indigenous SPOs.
  • IRP funds will be supporting these urban Indigenous SPOs in developing, starting and growing their social enterprises or in monetizing their existing community-serving programs.
  • “Our Government recognizes the integral role social purpose organizations have in tackling social, economic, and environmental challenges in Canada.

National Chief RoseAnne Archibald to headline 4th annual Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase in Vancouver June 1 and 2

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Monday, May 29, 2023
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald will feature prominently at the annual Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase (IPSS) conference that seeks to get all Canadians working together to accelerate the pace of reconciliation through better business relationships.

Key Points: 
  • VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald will feature prominently at the annual Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase (IPSS) conference that seeks to get all Canadians working together to accelerate the pace of reconciliation through better business relationships.
  • "National Chief Archibald's unwavering dedication to enhancing the well-being of Indigenous peoples spans decades.
  • Open to all, IPSS will leave delegates from diverse sectors better equipped to drive all types of enterprises to greater success in partnerships involving business, communities and governments.
  • On June 1, National Chief Archibald will outline her vision for economic reconciliation, followed by a discussion with award-winning journalist Tina House from APTN.

Lack of emergency support for Friendship Centres ties hands and delays response

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
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OTTAWA, May 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is disappointed in the lack of response and support for Friendship Centres responding to climate emergencies.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, May 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is disappointed in the lack of response and support for Friendship Centres responding to climate emergencies.
  • For each emergency, Friendship Centres are there to respond and support in community driven and culturally relevant ways.
  • Friendship Centres need consistent funding for emergency management in order to support evacuees in host communities.
  • Friendship Centres are a lifeline to many outside of emergency situation, even more so during emergencies, and they require emergency response funding to be prepared to respond immediately.

Friendship Centres in Alberta responding to wildfires, seek support

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Government, Wildfire, Clothing, Food, Housing, Emergency, Native Friendship Centre, Oil

OTTAWA, May 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alberta Friendship Centres in surrounding wildfire communities and directly impacted communities are responding to the needs of wildfire evacuees.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, May 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alberta Friendship Centres in surrounding wildfire communities and directly impacted communities are responding to the needs of wildfire evacuees.
  • Friendship Centres remained open over the weekend to provide support to incoming evacuees, with High Level Friendship Centre acting as an evacuation centre for around 130 people for the foreseeable future.
  • Friendship Centres provide immeasurable support during emergencies and times of need.
  • We are asking those that are able to, to please donate to support Alberta wildfire response, including to the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) - https://anfca.com/donations/ .

Budget 2023 Includes Some Investment but Must Fully Address Urban Indigenous Realities in the Near Future

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Employment, NAFC, Homelessness, History, Government, FCS, Investment, Native Friendship Centre, PTAS, Indigenous self-government in Canada, Federation, National Association, Mining, Rural area

OTTAWA, March 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) receives this 2023 federal budget with measured acknowledgement and urges future engagement.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, March 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) receives this 2023 federal budget with measured acknowledgement and urges future engagement.
  • While the NAFC believes that Friendship Centres and urban Indigenous people will benefit from the investments in urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing, including $4 billion over 7 years, starting in 2024-2025, to implement a co-developed Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, there are still gaps to be filled when addressing the realities of urban Indigenous communities.
  • “We welcome the investments in urban Indigenous housing, but none of the other NAFC’s pre-budget submissions were announced,” said Kelly Benning, NAFC President.
  • “It will be crucial for the federal government to engage with us to fully bridge the gap that urban Indigenous communities face when trying to access critical supports.